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Parents' Rights

Learn about your rights as a parent under the Student Online Personal Protection Act, which regulates how student data is collected and shared in Illinois.

What SOPPA Means For You

The Student Online Personal Protection Act, or SOPPA, is a student data privacy law that regulates student data collection and use by the district, the Illinois State Board of Education and education technology operators. As a parent or guardian, the law means you have the right to inspect, correct, and delete your child’s covered information, regardless of whether it is held by a district or a third-party operator.

Why Is Student Data Collected?

Student data is collected for a variety of reasons. It helps to connect students to vital educational resources, supports growth and achievement in the classroom, and creates new opportunities for learning. Oftentimes, fulfilling our mission of delivering high-quality education means sharing student data with operators who provide the district with educational tools and other resources. Now you can learn more than ever about how your student’s covered information is handled.

Your Parent Rights

Under SOPPA and the Chicago Board of Education’s policy, parents and guardians have the following rights beginning July 1, 2021:

  • Number 1

    To inspect and review the student's covered information

  • Number 2

    To request from a school a paper or electronic copy of the student's covered information

  • Number 3

    To request corrections of factual inaccuracies contained in the student's covered information when allowable by State or federal laws

  • Number 4

    To request deletion of covered information when allowable by State or federal records laws

  • Number 5

    To know which authorized software is being used in the classroom

  • Number 6

    To provide consent to the use of authorized software as outlined in the guidelines

  • Number 7

    To be notified by the district of a breach of covered information

Exercising Your Rights

The Student Online Personal Protection Act allows you to take specific actions to understand how your student’s covered information is managed. Here are a few ways you can learn more:

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about what the Student Online Personal Protection Act means for CPS students, parents, teachers and principals.

View FAQs

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Contact Us

If you have questions about the Student Online Personal Protection Act, please contact privacyoffice@cps.edu.